Method and apparatus for electronically interconnecting high voltage modules positioned in relatively close proximity

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for electrically connecting two closely positioned high voltage modules with little or no bend and without any loops in an electrical interconnecting coaxial cable, is disclosed, which may comprise a high voltage connector attached to at least a portion of the cable on at least one end of the cable; a push through high voltage connector receptor within one module; and a disconnection mechanism within the one module adapted to move the high voltage connector and the at least a portion of cable to which the high voltage connector is attached through the connector receptor from a contact position to a housed position in a direction away from the other module to which high voltage connection is to be made. The high voltage connector receptor may comprise an open cylindrical connector with a contacting surface contained on the interior wall of the cylindrical connector. The apparatus may further comprise an interlock mechanism in operative connection with the disconnection mechanism and adapted to provide an indication of the high voltage connector being in a position other than in the contact position relative to the connector receptor, and an engaging mechanism engaging the cable and holding the cable in a fixed position relative to the disconnection mechanism as the high voltage connector moves between the contact position and the housed position. The apparatus may further comprise a clamping mechanism in cooperative connection with the disconnection mechanism when the high voltage connector is in the contact position and cooperative with the clamping mechanism to prevent the high voltage connector from moving from the contact position. The invention may also include a retractable connector within a second module moveable toward the first module from a retracted position into an extended position, in which extended position electrical contact is made with the second high voltage connector.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to high pulse powered electricalequipment and other high voltage electrical equipment which issegregated into modules which in turn are positioned relatively close toeach other, e.g., in a cabinet, e.g., housing other equipment, e.g., theoptics, laser chambers and associated other equipment for a very highpower very high pulse rate excimer laser.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In high pulse powered electrical equipment and other high voltageelectrical equipment which is segregated into modules which in turn arepositioned relatively close to each other, e.g., in a cabinet, e.g.,housing other equipment, e.g., the optics, laser chambers and associatedother equipment for a very high power very high pulse rate excimerlaser, there is a need for conservation of space. At the same time it isnecessary interconnection of modules with high voltage over a relativelyrobust and therefore also relatively inflexible high voltage cable,e.g., a coaxial cable, formed, e.g., of an internal high voltageconnection wire, e.g., copper wire, surrounded by a relatively thicksheath of relatively inflexible insulating material, e.g., Polyethylene,surrounded by a relatively flexible ground connection formed, e.g., of awoven mesh of conductor material, e.g., copper mesh, which is in turnsurrounded by an also relatively inflexible outer sheath of insulatingmaterial, e.g., plastic or synthetic or actual rubber, e.g., neoprene.In certain applications, e.g., generation of very finely tuned veryshort wavelength and narrow band width light for applications, e.g.,semiconductor manufacturing lithography applications, interconnectingcables with unwanted loops or even perhaps bending of the cabling cancause undesired electrical effects, e.g., unwanted and/or misplacedinductances. For both ease of installation and ease of removal formaintenance of for interchange there is a need for the ability tointerconnect such modules with such relatively inflexible cablingwithout significantly bending, twisting, crimping, looping or the likeof the cabling, which can cause the above mentioned ill effects orperhaps also damage component parts within the modules during aninstallation or removal process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] An apparatus and method for electrically connecting two closelypositioned high voltage modules with little or no bend and without anyloops in an electrical interconnecting coaxial cable, is disclosed,which may comprise a high voltage connector attached to at least aportion of the cable on at least one end of the cable; a push throughhigh voltage connector receptor within one module; and a disconnectionmechanism within the one module adapted to move the high voltageconnector and the at least a portion of cable to which the high voltageconnector is attached through the connector receptor from a contactposition to a housed position in a direction away from the other moduleto which high voltage connection is to be made. The high voltageconnector receptor may comprise an open cylindrical connector with acontacting surface contained on the interior wall of the cylindricalconnector. The apparatus may further comprise an interlock mechanism inoperative connection with the disconnection mechanism and adapted toprovide an indication of the high voltage connector being in a positionother than in the contact position relative to the connector receptor,and an engaging mechanism engaging the cable and holding the cable in afixed position relative to the disconnection mechanism as the highvoltage connector moves between the contact position and the housedposition. The apparatus may further comprise a clamping mechanism incooperative connection with the disconnection mechanism when the highvoltage connector is in the contact position and cooperative with theclamping mechanism to prevent the high voltage connector from movingfrom the contact position. The invention may also include a retractableconnector within a second module moveable toward the first module from aretracted position into an extended position, in which extended positionelectrical contact is made with the second high voltage connector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a high voltage pulse powersystem module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0005]FIG. 2 shows a top view of the module of FIG. 1;

[0006]FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the module ofFIGS. 1 and 2, along section lines 3,4-3,4 in FIG. 2, with a highvoltage connector in the contact position according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0007]FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the module ofFIGS. 1 and 2, along section lines 3,4-3,4 in FIG. 2, with a highvoltage connector in a housed position according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0008]FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a high voltage connector basetube according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0009]FIG. 6, shows a cross-sectional view of the connector base tube ofFIG. 5 along section lines 6-6 in FIG. 5;

[0010]FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a center tube according to anembodiment of the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the center tube of FIG. 7along section lines 8-8 in FIG. 7;

[0012]FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a high voltage input clampaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a high voltage input connectoraccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the high voltage inputconnector of FIG. 10 along section lines 11-11 in FIG. 10;

[0015]FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a high voltage input connectorreceptor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 13 shows a top view of the high voltage input connectorreceptor of FIG. 12;

[0017]FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of the high voltage inputconnector receptor of FIG. 13 along section lines 14-14 of FIG. 13;

[0018]FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of thepresent invention in a contact position;

[0019]FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment ofFIG. 15 in a housed position; and,

[0020]FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of a coaxial cable connectoraccording to the second embodiment of FIGS. 15 and 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a high voltage pulsepower module 20, e.g., a compression head. The module 20 has a base 22and a module rear wall 24 and a module front wall 26 also shown is ahigh voltage input connector assembly 30, which may include, e.g., ahigh voltage connector 32 and a high voltage connector receptor 34. Thehigh voltage connector 32 may be attached at the terminal end of a highvoltage cable 36, which may be a coaxial cable sold by Times Microwaveunder the name RG 177 or RG 220, or compliant with the specificationsMILA/67-PG-177 and/or MIL 17/81-00001, having, e.g., a central highvoltage wire 37 and a grounded sheath made of, e.g., a cylindrical wovencopper mesh 35.

[0022] Contained on the module 20 may also be a magnetic inductivereactor element 38, which may be contained in, e.g., a housing 39. Themagnetic inductive reactor element 38 may have an inductive reactorinput contact plate 40 in electrical contact with an element (not shown)forming a portion of, e.g., a first turn around a magnetic core (notshown), both contained within the housing 39. The high voltage connectorreceptor 34 may be attached by screws 41 to front capacitor bank inputcontact plate 42. The front capacitor input contact plate 42 may also beconnected electrically to the inductive reactor input plate 40 by aplurality of standoffs 46. The reactor input plate 40 may also beconnected electrically to a rear capacitor input contact plate 44 byanother plurality of standoffs 46.

[0023] Each of a plurality of front capacitor bank bottom capacitors 60may be connected electrically to the front capacitor bank inputconnector plate 42 and also to the module base 22, which may bemaintained at a common or ground potential. Each of a plurality of frontcapacitor bank upper capacitors 62 may be connected electrically to thefront capacitor bank input plate 42 and to a front to capacitor groundplate 50, which may be connected electrically to the base 22 by aplurality of standoffs 70. Each of a plurality of rear capacitor bankbottom capacitors 64 may be electrically connected to the rear capacitorbank input plate 44 and to the base 22. Each of a plurality of rearcapacitor bank top capacitors 66 may be connected to the rear capacitorbank input connector plate 44 and to a rear capacitor bank top capacitorground plate 52, which may be connected to the base 22 by anotherplurality of standoffs 70.

[0024] Turning now to FIG. 3 there is shown the module of FIGS. 1 and 2partially cut away and in cross section along the section lines 3,4-3,4in FIG. 2. The high voltage connector assembly 30 is shown to include,e.g., a high voltage input connector base tube 80, also shown inperspective view in FIG. 5 and in cross section in FIG. 6 along thesection lines 6-6 in FIG. 5. The base tube 80 may have an elongatedcylindrical section 82 with one end of the cylindrical section 82 havinga rounded end 84. The other end of the cylindrical section 82 may form aflared end 86 ending in a flat end portion 86 in which may be containeda plurality of threaded screw openings 96. The flared end 86 may alsohave an opening 90 with a slightly enlarged cylindrical interiordiameter. The base tube 80 may also have formed within the cylindricalsection 82 a generally cylindrical window 98. The elongated cylindricalsection 82 and the enlarged section 90 together form an elongatedcylindrical passage 100.

[0025] Inserted within the interior of the elongated cylindrical section82 for slideable motion within the base tube 80 may be a high voltageinput assembly center tube 110, also shown in perspective view in FIG. 7and in cross section along the sectional lines 8-8 in FIG. 7. The centertube 110 may be formed of a relatively thicker walled elongatedcylindrical section 112 and may have at one end a thinner walledclamping section 114. The interior of the center tube 110 may form anelongated center passage 116. The other end of the center tube 110elongated cylindrical section 112 may form a flared opening section 120with the outer shell of the center tube 110 tapering in a taperedsection 124 corresponding in length essentially with the flared portion120. The outer wall of the center tube 110 elongated cylindrical section112 may have formed in it an annular clamping and interlock groove 130.

[0026] Turning now to FIG. 9 there is shown in perspective view a highvoltage input connector clamp 140 which may be pivotally attached to themodule front wall 26 by a pivot pin 144, shown in FIG. 1, insertedthrough a pivot pin opening 142 at one end of an arcuate member 141forming the clamp 140. The arcuate member 141 may have on its interiorarced surface 145 a clamping protrusion 148.

[0027] Turning now to FIG. 10 there is shown the high voltage inputconnector 32 that is also shown in cross section in FIG. 11 alongsectional lines 11-11 in FIG. 10. The high voltage connector 32 may beformed of a short cylindrical section 150 and a rounded front section154. The short cylindrical section 150 and a small portion of therounded section 154 may have formed within them a threaded channel 156which may have a larger opening section 160. The channel may receive thewire portion 37 of the high voltage cable 36, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4and may be held in that position and in electrical contact with the highvoltage connector 32 by a set screw (not shown) which may be threadedinto a threaded set screw opening 158 in the high voltage connector.

[0028] Turning now to FIG. 12 there is shown a perspective view of thehigh voltage connector receptor 34, which is also shown in plan view inFIG. 13 and in cross-sectional view in FIG. 14 along sectional lines14-14 in FIG. 13. The high voltage connector receptor 34 may be formedof a short cylindrical section 170 having a founded front face 172 and abrooded rear face 174 and forming a generally cylindrical opening 178having slightly narrower internal diameters at the front and rear formedby a respective one of a pair of protruding surfaces 180. The highvoltage connector receptor cylindrical portion 170 may be attached to aplate section 182, which may have formed in it a plurality of openingsfor receiving, e.g., a plurality of screws 41 shown in FIGS. 1-4.

[0029] Turning now to FIGS. 1-4 it can be seen that in operation thehigh voltage connector 32 is engaged and relatively snugly held in placewithin the interior passage 178 of the of the high voltage connectorreceptor 34. At the same time, the cable 36 is held within the highvoltage input connector assembly 30 by a cable clamp 170, whichfrictionally engages the cable clamping sleeve 114 of the center tube110. At the same time the center tube 110 is snuggly fit within andfrictionally engaging the interior surface of the elongated cylindricalpassage 100 of the base tube 80, which in turn is connected to thehousing front wall 26 by screws 118. Multilam (not shown) may also beemployed to make electrical contact with the cable 37.

[0030] In this position of the high voltage connector assembly 30, theclamping protrusion 148 of the high voltage input connector clamp 140 isengaging the annular groove 130 in the inner tube 110, preventing thehigh voltage connector 32 from moving out from within the opening 178 inthe high voltage connector receptor 32. In addition, a micro-switch 160contact 162, extending through the window 98 in the base tube 80 engagesthe tapered outer surface 124 of the center tube 110.

[0031] When the module 20 is first to be installed and/or the operatordesires to remove the module, the cable 36 and the high voltageconnector assembly 30 will be in the position/or moved into the positionshown in FIG. 4. In this position the high voltage connector 32 has beenthrust through the opening 178 in the high voltage connector receptortoward the rear wall 24 of the module 20. In order to do this, theoperator (or alternatively at the factory before shipping) releases theclamp 140 from the annular groove 130 and pushes the inner tube 110within the base tube 80 to a position, e.g., where the cable sleeveclamp 170 is abutting the clamp 140. In addition, with the clamp 140 outof the annular groove 130, the micro-switch 146 mounted on the module 20front wall 26 is moved to a position to indicate the clamp 140 isdisengaged from the annular groove 130 and also the micro-switch 160spring loaded contact element 162 is in a position resting against thecylindrical outer wall 112 of the inner tube 110, also indicating thatthe cable is in a “housed” position, i.e., not in the operatingelectrical contact position. This micro-switch also may be utilized togive an indication that the annular groove 130 has passed by themicro-switch 160 toward the rear wall 24 of the module 20 and in theopposite direction during an engaging step in which the high voltageconnector 32 is brought into electrically engaging contact with the highvoltage connector receptor 34 alternatively, the cable 37 may becompletely removed during shipment prior to first installation or afterremoval of the module 20 for maintenance, and inserted when the module20 is first installed or replaced after maintenance, so that the cable37 is in the thrust through position.

[0032] During such an engaging step, after the module 20 has beeninserted or re-inserted, the inner tube 110 may be withdrawn through thebase tube 80 in which it is snuggly fit and frictionally engaging, butstill slideably engaging the base tube, to a position where the clamp140 again is in engagement with the annular groove 130 and the highvoltage connector in turn is within the opening 178 of the high voltageconnector receptor 32.

[0033] It will be understood that the limit switches 146 and 160 mayprovide interlocking and safety inputs to a controller (not shown) topermit connecting high voltage to the cable 36 when the high voltageconnector 32 is in the operating position and to not permit suchapplication of high voltage when the high voltage connector 32 is in anyother position, including the “housed” position. The connector 32 andconnector receptor 34, therefore, form a “push-through” high voltageconnector, i.e., the connector 32 and the cable 37 to which it isattached, including at least that part of the cable forming the highvoltage connection wire 37 and a surrounding insulation cladding, movesthrough the connector receptor from a contact position to a housedposition in a direction away from the neighboring module to which highvoltage connection is desired when the cable 36 is moved from the housedposition to the connecting position moving the cable 36 in the oppositedirection, i.e., toward the neighboring module.

[0034] It will be understood that an adjacent module, e.g., a commutatormodule may have an essentially identical arrangement as that shown inFIGS. 1-14, with the modification, however, that when the cable 37 ismoved from the “housed” position in the one module, e.g., thecompression head module 20 of FIGS. 1-14 the cable 37 with its own highvoltage connector 32′ (not shown) moves toward electrically connectivecontact with a high voltage connector receptor 34′ (not shown, and bothhigh voltage connectors 32 and 32′ (not shown) are brought intoelectrically connective contact with the respective high voltage contactreceptor 34 and 34′ (not shown) respectively by the same such movementof the cable 37.

[0035] In this manner a relatively thick and inflexible cable 37 may beused to interconnect two high voltage modules in relatively closeproximity without bends of loops in the cable 37 which can lead tounwanted inductances and at the same time may be connected anddisconnected from each other with relative ease with the modulesinstalled in a cabinet having relatively close proximity and littleflexibility of relative movement for purposes ofconnecting/disconnecting the cable ends to the respective module(s).

[0036] To add even more flexibility to the connecting/disconnectingprocess another embodiment of the present invention may be utilized,e.g., as shown in FIGS. 15-17, a retractable connector 180 may be formedin the other module, e.g., a high voltage module, e.g., a commutatormodule 182.

[0037] Turning now to FIGS. 15-17 there is shown an alternativeembodiment of the present invention embodied in a retractable highvoltage connector 180, which is shown in cross section in FIG. 15 in aretracted/disconnected position and in cross section in FIG. 16 in anextended/connected position. The retractable high voltage connector 180may contain, e.g., a base tube 190 which may consist of a shortcylindrical tube 190 contained within the interior of the high voltagemodule 182, and attached to the wall 184 by screws 192. The base tube190 may also include within its interior cylindrical opening 204 anannular Multilam contact 196, made by Multi-contact USA, which may beutilized for frictional engagement on the interior wall of the base tube190 to frictionally engage an inner tube 200. The inner tube 200 may beformed of an elongated cylindrical tube having at one end a flange 206.

[0038] The inner tube 200 may also contain a high voltage cable wire 212which may be surrounded by insulating material 210, e.g., plastic, suchas Teflon, which may be attached to the interior wall surface of theinner tube 200, e.g., by adhesive, which also may be formed into anelongated cylinder surrounding and coaxial with the high voltage contactwire 212. Attached to the end of the insulating material 210 and inelectrical connection with the wire 212, e.g., through an end cap 208may be a donut-shaped high voltage connector 214. The end cap 208 may beinserted into the central opening 209 of the donut-shaped connector 214and the donut-shaped connector 214 may be attached to the insulatingmaterial 210 by any suitable means, e.g., by tapping the interiorsurface of the hole 209 and threading the outer surface of the end cap208. Alternatively, the end cap 208 could be soldered to the connector214 a

[0039] The other end of the inner tube 200 may be formed an opening 216for receiving and locking a coaxial cable connector 240 (shown in FIG.20). The opening 216 may be narrowed into a coaxial cable receptionpassage 218 by an internal sleeve 226, which may lead to a banana plugreceptor 224 formed in the insulating material 210 and in electricalcontact with the high voltage connector wire 212.

[0040] The wider portion 216 of the opening 204 may be internallythreaded to receive threads (not shown) formed externally on a coaxialcable connector locking plug 250 forming a portion of a coaxial cableconnector 240. The locking plug 250 may have an internal passage throughwhich may be inserted the coaxial cable, with a portion of the outerinsulator stripped away in order to make ground connection through thelocking plug, made of a suitable electrically conductive material, e.g.,brass, and the wall of the inner tube 210 in contact with the base tube190 and the wall 184 of the grounded commutator module 182 wall 184. Ascan be seen in FIG. 20, the insulator outer sleeve 244 of the coaxialcable extends from the exterior end of the connector locking plug 250while the high voltage wire with attached banana plug 246, shielded by asurrounding tube of insulating material, e.g., plastic, e.g., Teflon 248extends from the interior end of the connector plug 250 and is insertedinto the passage 218 to make contact with the banana plug receptor 224as the connector plug 250 is threaded into place. It will be understoodby those skilled in the art that the connector plug 250 and the coaxialcable may be formed and connected in such a way, e.g., by forming theconnector plug of two intermeshing coaxial cylinders, such that thethreaded portion (not shown) of the connector plug 250 is rotationallymoveable around the coaxial cable during the threaded insertion processso as not to have to twist the cable between the modules 20, 182 beingelectrically connected. Or, alternatively, such twisting may betolerated because the other end of the coaxial cable, i.e., connector32, is not yet inserted into its connector receptor 34 or the connector32, if so inserted, is permitted to rotate within its connector receptor34.

[0041] In operation, the retractable connector 180, when not in use maybe in the housed position as shown, e.g., in FIG. 15, with the innertube 210 retracted to essentially fully within the module 182. Whenelectrical contact is desired, e.g., before the cable 36 has been movedinto the contacting position, i.e., with the connector 32 engaged in theconnector receptor 34, the retractable connecor may be extracted fromthe module 182 by sliding the inner tube 200 through the base tube 190until the high voltage connector 214 engages within a high voltageconnector receptor 220, which may have within an interior cylindricalopening multilam frictional contacts 222. At this point also an annularstop ring 230 can be positioned on the end of the inner tube 210 so asto engage the interior end of the base tube, e.g., after passing throughthe interior opening of the connector receptor 220, thus establishingthe extent of motion of the inner tube 200 in the extension/connectiondirection. The annular stop ring 230 may also provide electrical fieldgrading.

[0042] At this point, the coaxial cable 37 and connector 32 may be movedinto engagement with the connector receiver 34 in the other module,extending the connector plug 250 toward the opening 204 in the extendedretractable connector 180 allowing the connector plug 250 to be threadedinto the receiving opening 216 to made the banana plug 246 with thebanana plug receptor 224, establishing high voltage electricalconnection between the modules with a minimum of relatively inflexiblecable between the two, with a minimum bending or flexing of the cableduring connection and with a minimum of bend and an elimination of loopsin the interconnecting high voltage cable, e.g., reducing to a minimumany stray inductance.

[0043] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the presentembodiment described of the present invention is for illustrativepurposes only and that may modifications and changes well within theunderstanding and skill of those in the art may be made to the presentlydisclosed embodiment(s) without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. The present invention, therefore, should not beconsidered to be limited to the presently preferred embodiment(s) asdisclosed and should be considered to be of an extend covered by theappended claims and their equivalents.

I/we claim:
 1. An apparatus for electrically connecting two closelypositioned high voltage modules with little or no bend and without anyloops in an electrical interconnecting coaxial cable, comprising: a highvoltage connector attached to at least a portion of the cable on atleast one end of the cable; a push through high voltage connectorreceptor within one module; and, a disconnection mechanism within theone module adapted to move the high voltage connector and the at least aportion of cable to which the high voltage connector is attached throughthe connector receptor from a contact position to a housed position in adirection away from the other module to which high voltage connection isto be made.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: the highvoltage connector receptor comprising: an open cylindrical connectorwith a contacting surface contained on the interior wall of thecylindrical connector.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:an interlock mechanism in operative connection with the disconnectionmechanism and adapted to provide an indication of the high voltageconnector being in a position other than in the contact positionrelative to the connector receptor.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, furthercomprising: an interlock mechanism in operative connection with thedisconnection mechanism and adapted to provide an indication of the highvoltage connector being in a position other than in the contact positionrelative to the connector receptor.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, furthercomprising: an engaging mechanism engaging the cable and holding thecable in a fixed position relative to the disconnection mechanism as thehigh voltage connector moves between the contact position and the housedposition.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: an engagingmechanism engaging the cable and holding the cable in a fixed positionrelative to the disconnection mechanism as the high voltage connectormoves between the contact position and the housed position.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a clamping mechanism incooperative connection with the disconnection mechanism when the highvoltage connector is in the contact position and cooperative with theclamping mechanism to prevent the high voltage connector from movingfrom the contact position.
 8. The apparatus of claim 2, furthercomprising: a clamping mechanism in cooperative connection with thedisconnection mechanism when the high voltage connector is in thecontact position and cooperative with the disconnection mechanism toprevent the high voltage connector from moving from the contactposition.
 9. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: a clampingmechanism in cooperative connection with the disconnection mechanismwhen the high voltage connector is in the contact position andcooperative with the disconnection mechanism to prevent the high voltageconnector from moving from the contact position.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 4, further comprising: a clamping mechanism in cooperativeconnection with the disconnection mechanism when the high voltageconnector is in the contact position and cooperative with thedisconnection mechanism to prevent the high voltage connector frommoving from the contact position.
 11. The apparatus of claim 5, furthercomprising: a clamping mechanism in cooperative connection with thedisconnection mechanism when the high voltage connector is in thecontact position and cooperative with the disconnection mechanism toprevent the high voltage connector from moving from the contactposition.
 12. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: a clampingmechanism in cooperative connection with the disconnection mechanismwhen the high voltage connector is in the contact position andcooperative with the disconnection mechanism to prevent the high voltageconnector from moving from the contact position.
 13. An apparatus forelectrically connecting two closely positioned high voltage modules withlittle or no bend and without any loops in an electrical interconnectingcoaxial cable, comprising: a high voltage connector attached to at leasta portion of the cable on at least one end of the cable; a push throughhigh voltage connector receptor means within one module for connectingand disconnecting the high voltage connector to the module; and, adisconnection means within the one module for positioning the highvoltage connector and the at least a portion of cable to which the highvoltage connector is attached in a housed position by moving the cablein a direction away from the other module to which high voltageconnection is to be made.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 furthercomprising: the high voltage connector receptor comprising: an opencylindrical connector with a contacting surface contained on theinterior wall of the cylindrical connector.
 15. The apparatus of claim13, further comprising: an interlock means for, in cooperation with thedisconnection means, providing an indication of the high voltageconnector being in a position other than in the contact positionrelative to the connector receptor.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14,further comprising: an interlock means for, in cooperation with thedisconnection means, providing an indication of the high voltageconnector being in a position other than in the contact positionrelative to the connector receptor.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15,further comprising: an engaging means for engaging the cable and holdingthe cable in a fixed position relative to the disconnection means as thehigh voltage connector moves between the contact position and the housedposition.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising: an engagingmeans for engaging the cable and holding the cable in a fixed positionrelative to the disconnection means as the high voltage connector movesbetween the contact position and the housed position.
 19. The apparatusof claim 13, further comprising: a clamping means in cooperativeconnection with the disconnection means when the high voltage connectoris in the contact position and cooperative with the disconnection meansto prevent the high voltage connector from moving from the contactposition.
 20. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: a clampingmeans in cooperative connection with the disconnection means when thehigh voltage connector is in the contact position and cooperative withthe disconnection means to prevent the high voltage connector frommoving from the contact position.
 21. The apparatus of claim 15, furthercomprising: a clamping means in cooperative connection with thedisconnection means when the high voltage connector is in the contactposition and cooperative with the disconnection means to prevent thehigh voltage connector from moving from the contact position.
 22. Theapparatus of claim 16, further comprising: a clamping means incooperative connection with the disconnection means when the highvoltage connector is in the contact position and cooperative with thedisconnection means to prevent the high voltage connector from movingfrom the contact position.
 23. The apparatus of claim 17, furthercomprising: a clamping means in cooperative connection with thedisconnection means when the high voltage connector is in the contactposition and cooperative with the disconnection means to prevent thehigh voltage connector from moving from the contact position.
 24. Theapparatus of claim 17, further comprising: a clamping means incooperative connection with the disconnection means when the highvoltage connector is in the contact position and cooperative with thedisconnection means to prevent the high voltage connector from movingfrom the contact position.
 25. A method for electrically connecting twoclosely positioned high voltage modules with little or no bend andwithout any loops in an electrical interconnecting coaxial cable,comprising: attaching a high voltage connector to at least a portion ofthe cable on at least one end of the cable; providing a push throughhigh voltage connector receptor within one module for connecting anddisconnecting the high voltage connector to the module; and, positioningthe high voltage connector and the at least a portion of cable to whichthe high voltage connector is attached in a housed position by movingthe cable through the push through high voltage connector receptor in adirection away from the other module to which high voltage connection isto be made.
 26. The method of claim 25 further comprising: the highvoltage connector receptor comprising: an open cylindrical connectorwith a contacting surface contained on the interior wall of thecylindrical connector.
 27. The method of claim 25, further comprising:providing an indication of the high voltage connector being in aposition other than in the contact position relative to the connectorreceptor to prevent energizing the cable when the connector is in otherthan the contact position.
 28. The method of claim 26, furthercomprising: providing an indication of the high voltage connector beingin a position other than in the contact position relative to theconnector receptor to prevent energizing the cable when the connector isin other than the contact position.
 29. The method of claim 27, furthercomprising: providing an indication of the high voltage connector beingin a position other than in the contact position relative to theconnector receptor to prevent energizing the cable when the connector isin other than the contact position.
 30. The method of claim 28, furthercomprising: providing an indication of the high voltage connector beingin a position other than in the contact position relative to theconnector receptor to prevent energizing the cable when the connector isin other than the contact position.
 31. The apparatus of claim 25,further comprising: clamping the disconnection means to prevent the highvoltage connector from moving from the contact position.
 32. Theapparatus of claim 26, further comprising: clamping the disconnectionmeans to prevent the high voltage connector from moving from the contactposition.
 33. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising: clampingthe disconnection means to prevent the high voltage connector frommoving from the contact position.
 34. The apparatus of claim 28, furthercomprising: clamping the disconnection means to prevent the high voltageconnector from moving from the contact position.
 35. The apparatus ofclaim 29, further comprising: clamping the disconnection means toprevent the high voltage connector from moving from the contactposition.
 36. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising: clampingthe disconnection means to prevent the high voltage connector frommoving from the contact position.
 37. An apparatus for electricallyconnecting a first and a second closely positioned high voltage modulewith little or no bend and without any loops in an electricalinterconnecting coaxial cable, comprising: a first high voltageconnector attached to at least a portion of the cable on one end of thecable and a second high voltage connector attached to at least a portionof the cable at a second end of the cable; a push through high voltageconnector receptor within the first module; a disconnection mechanismwithin the first module adapted to move the high voltage connector andthe at least a portion of cable to which the high voltage connector isattached through the connector receptor from a contact position to ahoused position in a direction away from the other module to which highvoltage connection is to be made; and a retractable connector within thesecond module moveable toward the first module from a retracted positioninto an extended position, in which extended position electrical contactis made with the second high voltage connector.
 38. An apparatus forelectrically connecting a first and a second closely positioned highvoltage module with little or no bend and without any loops in anelectrical interconnecting coaxial cable, comprising: a first and asecond high voltage connector attached to at least a portion of thecable on each end of the cable; a push through high voltage connectorreceptor means within the first module for connecting and disconnectingthe high voltage connector to the first module; a disconnection meanswithin the first module for positioning the high voltage connector andthe at least a portion of cable to which the high voltage connector isattached in a housed position by moving the cable in a direction awayfrom the other module to which high voltage connection is to be made;and, a retractable connector means within the second module moveabletoward the first module from a retracted position into an extendedposition, for making electrical contact with the second high voltageconnector.
 39. A method for electrically connecting a first and a secondclosely positioned high voltage module with little or no bend andwithout any loops in an electrical interconnecting coaxial cable,comprising: placing a first and a second high voltage connector on atleast a portion of the cable on each end of the cable; a push throughhigh voltage connector receptor means within the first module forconnecting and disconnecting the high voltage connector to the firstmodule; a disconnection means within the first module for positioningthe high voltage connector and the at least a portion of cable to whichthe high voltage connector is attached in a housed position by movingthe cable in a direction away from the other module to which highvoltage connection is to be made; and, a retractable connector meanswithin the second module moveable toward the first module from aretracted position into an extended position, for making electricalcontact with the second high voltage connector.